From embracing continued professional development and counselling services, to staying active and talking with colleagues, social workers share their tips on how they prepare for the demands of the job
Social work is a rewarding and fulfilling role. You can have a career for life, work in a team and make a real difference to people’s lives. There’s no denying, however, that the work is challenging, and that some cases can be very complex. This makes it all the more vital for social workers to maintain their own health and wellbeing by taking advantage of the resources and support systems available.
Make the most of clinical supervision
Stuart Harragan is the senior family and network practitioner at the Mulberry Bush school, one of the only establishments in the country providing residential, therapeutic care and education for severely emotionally troubled and traumatised children aged from five to 12. He says social work can be emotionally challenging as practitioners may hear about things that most people never come across in their lives. Because of this, it’s vital to make good use of clinical supervision, which is an opportunity to discuss cases, their management and their impact on you with a more senior colleague. He recommends preparing for your sessions beforehand by thinking about what you want to discuss. It’s a positive opportunity to have someone understand some of the stresses you face, listen without judgment and offer experienced guidance.
